TR: Triple Header- Red, Kendall, and a little Alpy 4.22 & 4.23

[Squirrel99]

BUMP for updated choice pics that were missing from the SE Kendall "why not because we are here" couloir
Thanks for posting, G!



After an incredibly rewarding season full of untracked powder & choice lines...it is finally Spring. Thermometers in Seattle were expected to top 70 degrees both days this weekend and bringing with them warm sunshine. A perfect change from the go-go charging winter to Spring. At first thought, a weekend spent charging the sidecountry at Alpental sounded like a great idea (and it was!). But for some reason, I was left wanting more. Why not do a couple long tours each day and then finish off with some lift served slush & beers? With venerable chair 2 now spinning til' 5pm- it all came together.

4.22.06 - Graupel & Squirrel99 West Face of Red (apologies in advance for lack of ski pics due to concern for wet slabs)
It all starts with a drive full of anticipation. While evening revelers were still searching for rides home- we were quietly making our way up to Snoqualmie Pass.


Our destination was a long sought after and popular backcountry route near Alpental- The West Face of Red Mountain. From the Summit of Alpental it taunts you with it's steep unforgiving pitch and aesthetic beauty


Another view from I-90


And about 2 miles up on our skin through Commonwealth Basin


At about 4500 feet, we ditched our skins for the final push- a grueling steep ascent up the South ridge for 1350 feet. The punchy and highly variable snow made for challenging climbing conditions.

Can you say pitch?


Along the climb, you get great views of:
Lundin



SW Flank of Kendall




NW Couloirs of Kendall (More on these later!)


Graupel nearing the summit


And views of Mount Rainier


And the mothership, Alpental


Upon arriving at the summit, we waited for a few hours in the hope that our planned descent would soften up. About 1pm, we realized that it wasn't going to get much softer than dust on crust- and our main concern was getting off the aspect before the lower portion endured too much warming.

peering over the edge (1st pic you can see Alpy in the background)



Graupel went first. When he was clear (in the far tree bench wayyyy below, I took this pic of his 3 tracks prior to the rollover) - and then it was my turn


Looking back up at the steep face of Red, one can tell the conditions we skied were not exactly "optimal" - all aspects (N/S/E/W) pretty much had slid last week and were scoured in debris- we just had to pick our way through


Upon finishing, we jumped over to Alpental and met up with Mofro & SilentStorm and skied another 2 hours- through the Alpy BC and inbounds slush radness of Breakover & Nash. Followed up by two pitchers of Pale Ale, nothing could have been more perfect in the sunshine for a steller day (albeit less than ideal conditions on Red).

4.23.06 Kendall Couloirs - Squirrel99, Mofro261, SilentStorm
Sometimes, it just seems too early


There was a particular couloir that would haunt me- rather enchant me overnight into the morning (the obvious center line on the far peak) and it would be #2 on our hit list. Our ascent would take us back up Commonwealth Basin to the East approach. After another crusty challenging steep skin- we ascended to the center left in the photo where a luscious couloir awaited



Closer view here. Plan was to drop into a SE facing twisting couloir from the first ridge for about 1500 feet, then skin up the bowl, assess conditions and boot up the couloir in the left of the picture


Skinning toward the Western Flank of Kendall was much steeper and challenging than expected. Here crossing yet another debris field


South face of Red with many options for another day


And this is where my camera battery decided to go out. Mofro may have a few pics, perhaps he'll post later.

For reference here is another photo I took a few months ago and you can see the lines. Our first descent was "Plan B"


We dropped into the couloir to find surprisingly good snow, both firm and edgy, and helpings of slush. It dumped us into a beautiful bowl of rolling terrain and perfect corn. So good that we lapped the lower section a second time. Silent Storm found a nice 25 footer between a few trees and over a rock face into the corn bowl.

As we got closer to our 2nd intended target (the one that I could not stop thinking about last night)- we noticed that not only was it steeper and more exposed than expected, but the snow conditions appeared rather suspect. After much consideration, we agreed it would have to be left for another day. Much like the variable snow conditions, you win some and you lose some. But you still win in the end- especially on a stunning day like today.

Somehow I was able to squeeze out a few photos while my battery light was flashing low- enough to capture the final push on our last climb


Looking back- started at the high point in the center left, dropped through the rocks on the twisty "why not because we are here" couloir- opening up into Corn Bowl- then on through the rollling trees and rock features below.

[Squirrel99]

A quick lunch break brought us back to a previous TR location from December
(http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...hlight=Kendall) and then we were off to try and cut back across Jolly Mountain to the Pacific Crest Trail parking lot near Summit West.

Whoa! Are we too far south? Looks like Lake Tahoe!


Nahh, still Washington.


Mofro lines up a quick slash through the sludge


At the summer lot, Video Surveillence and Bathrooms scheduled to reopen in mid-June




After what seemed like a 5 mile traverse through creekbeds, balance beams between treewells, and rotton snow- we finally made it back! At least that's the one thing reassuring about hearing the highway noise of I-90 ---> you know you're within 500 vert of the car!

So Mofro & Silent Storm headed home, I got a call from Greydon Clark.

Alpental Triple Play: Greydon, Squirrel, and one naked snowboarding Chick

After swearing to Mofro & Storm that I would not be partaking in any Alpy laps at 3pm- Greydon talked me into it by the promise of cold beer and slushy bumps (yeah, just what my legs wanted after two long days touring ). So I pulled a "Kellie," sacked up, grabbed the Gotamas and loaded up Armstrong Express.

DRAMA HITS GREYDON
As we are cresting Tower 7, Greydon notices two snowboarders dropped into a perm closure (re: Massive Thermal Creek bed). One has fallen on his back into the creek from 10 feet above. Snow is caving in and people from the chairs start screaming up to yell for Patrol. The other boarder "thinks" he wants to attempt a crossing. Greydon starts yelling "NO FUCKING WAY!!! DO NOT MOVE!!! WAIT FOR PATROL" - so after another two nervous minutes, we get to the top of C1- talk to Patrol, then I see Greydon mach through large manky slushy bumps like nobody's business. He hauls ass, making "HOP" turns (re: alpine turns) while GS'ing the bump field. This man is possessed!

I think, damn- this is a guy I want to get my back if I'm hurt or in danger! So we mob to the ropeline closure and wait for patrol to catch up. As luck would have it- the "creek" boarder was okay and they were able to get both guys out relatively unscathed. Scary freakin' moment. So Greydon is now fired up. We hit another lap through Rollen & Breakover.

And what would the end of the day be without seeing a naked chick boarding down Debbies (sorry, my camera skillz were too late, but you can sort of make her out in the center)


My legs are BBQ'd. Done. Time to relax. It's beer-thirty.

As for the touring, you win some and you lose some. Although the snow conditions left a lot to be desired, how can one complain with the perfect weather this weekend? If we didn't win, we at least tied!

[skier666]

Nice pics rodent...but this one takes the cake.....

[splat]

Got your text. Figured your boundless enthusiasm would produce the tr here.
I've looked down on those mountains on approach to Sea Tac a few times and drooled.

[Mofro261]

Heh, beautiful scenery, seriously fugly conditions with all the debris. Definitely tipping the effort to reward ratio this day but still a good time.

More pics of the intended coulie, note frozen debris in the bottom


Cornice protecting top but managable..


A good 50-55 on this, I think a rope would be a good idea on the boot pack


Oh yeah, Squirrel forgot to mention the exposure on the backside of this coulie, ~150-200 ft sloping rock. But we did notice a hanging traverse line that could access the top. You know you still want this one

I'll post some more of the Sunday pics later of the Rodent in action.

[Buster Highmen]

Well played, gentlemen, well played.

[CS]

Solid effort fellas.

And that snowpack is looking like it might last a while. A lot of spring/early summer skiing for you PNW freakos.

See you in Mammoth Squirrely-one.

[FrankZappa]

That country is so cool looking! Bummer on the batteries and conditions. Thanks.

[PNWbrit]

I knew I should have gone to the pass this weekend.... but no I had to decide that it was the perfect weekend to get the bike back out.....

[iskibc]

Plan A looks real nice. Can't wait to see some more spring action from the PNW.

[Greydon Clark]

Mr. 99 was seriously worked when he arrived in the Alpental parking lot, but he likes skiing more than most, and when I mentioned slush bumps his eye light up light a neon sign. He might hide it with his weekly photos of big mountain sickness, but the man is a bumper to the core. Squirrel and Company, excellent work.

[mtnbikerskierchick]

Those NW couloirs of Kendall look so sweet! Hope to see more on those later this spring! Nice TR

[Kellie]

Let the spring PNW tours begin! By the looks of it, you'll be goin' for awhile! Time to break in the Denalis

[SilentStorm]

It was a great tour. Thanks to Squirrel and Mofro for bringing me along. I have to say that "Plan B" was damn fun and worth the effort. Squirrel and I each had a close call sliding out the crusty climb up (Squirrels love trees so it was no biggie).

If I'd know you were gonna hit Alpy after all on Sun, I woulda joined ya. I was just chillin up in the mtns, cuz who needs the city anyway?

As far as those beautiful couloirs, we'll be back to hit em when the conditions are right. Also, there is another tighter couloir that you can barely see the bottom of in this pic. To the immediate lookers left of our intended couloir, there is a unskiable one that ends in 100+ ft cliff. The one just left of that goes all the way through. Getting to it is the real challenge.

[powstash]

but the man is a bumper to the core.

OLDSCHOOL99 should be his name.

Nice work mang. Kendall has some nice lines. I gotta get me some of that.

[girlski0912]

Nice work boys. Sounds like a great weekend of skiing.





And yes, Squirrely is a bump-fag

[Squirrel99]

If I'd know you were gonna hit Alpy after all on Sun, I woulda joined ya. I was just chillin up in the mtns, cuz who needs the city anyway?

I wasn't planning on it!!! I went to Alpy to grab some pizza to go, but then greydon pleaded with the puppy dog 'you gonna leave me hanging' look and ponied up some free beer in return for 1 lap. We did 1.5 laps due to the 'sudden' emergency when Greydon watched a snowboarder fall into Thrasher's Creek under chair 1 and needed to take Patrol where they were. Only took one real run- there was no way I was going to make anymore turns!

And yes, Squirrely is a bump-fag

pffft....I want nothing to do with those things these days. I wish our linebacker BC-Flow was available to "groom out" the bumps for me. but your just jealous 'cause stick chasers never got to have any fun

Kendall has some nice lines. I gotta get me some of that.

So when are coming up!!! You know you want to...


by the way, i'm surprised nobody commented on the naked snowboarding girl!

[SilentStorm]

no worries. I was pretty beat by that point as well.

all in all, a fabulous weekend.

[Greydon Clark]

by the way, i'm surprised nobody commented on the naked snowboarding girl!

[The AD]

I was up Saturday. What a great weekend to be in the mountains! Saw SilentStorm on my first ride up chair two. Man, it warmed up quickly. Got pretty busy, too. I took a few shots, so might as well post 'em:

Backcountry from top of International


Avalanche debris was an issue inbounds as well


Some big mountain off to the south


I saw some dude boarding without a shirt, but no chicks.

[Squirrel99]

Ssome big mountain off to the south


I saw some dude boarding without a shirt, but no chicks.

Gotta love those bluebird days when Rainier just kind of pops out from no where!

Great weekend! So who we gonna see up there this Saturday?

[shirk]

Sweet stuff.

Lots of projects there for future tours.

[Dug]

Nice pics!!

Alpy was fun on the weekend. Snowboarders in bikinis and boobies on Sunday too! I don't think I'll ever see a topless woman snowboarding ever again. Worthless without pics, I know, but that can't be helped.

By the way, it looked like a few guys dropped a pretty gnarly line looking across the upper parking lot from alpy. The line was complete with a pretty nasty 2-step cliff drop. Did any of you guys catch this? Saw the multiple skier tracks on Sunday as i was heading to the car. The cliff drop(s) made the line look really hairy.

[Mofro261]

Kendall Peaks 4-23-06

Here's a bit more from Sunday... I probably should have started a new thread, but oh well.

We started the day with hard charging intrepidation, anxious to reach our goal with but knowing the conditions from the day before, a little unsure of how it would go down. A week ago saw a heavy avy cycle and the remnants seemed to be lingering on all aspects. We headed up the Commonwealth Basin drainage and it was FIRM. Hard to get an edge, but not solid enough on the west aspects to prevent post holing. ~5 miles and 2500 ft later we laid eyes on the prize.



We opted to skin as far possible, then did a short boot up to "plan B". After a short survey along to ridge, we decided it was a good hour slog toward "plan A". Looking down on "We're here so let's ski Coulior:



Squirrel sees something he likes, then gives a short instruction on reworking the food pyramid to include only 3 food groups- coffee, beer, and pizza.



Alright, seems to be stable




Squirrel hopping like a rodent




SilentStorm makes some noise





Corn Bowl goodness




Looking back up "we're here so let's ski it" -small notch just left of center and the only skiable line within 45 min ridge walk on either side.



At this point, the fated goal of the day Kendall Couloir begins to look suspect. The North facing Aspects are littered with frozen debris and the outrun of the Coolie doesn't look fun. Neither does the prospect of booting up a sheet of 55 degree ice.


Mofro261 and SilentStorm try to calm the rodent down. Best laid plans blah blah blah...


But then Squirrel99 decides to go Agro-.............






........-Cultural and starts farming the corn in CornBowl (Cornball?)





SilentStorm lines it up to drop like its hot because it was ... um... really HOT.





Looking at Plan "A" Dec and then April:




Just a wee bit more snow in there eh? Our first shot "Plan B" turned out to be the least debris shrewn along the whole East facing slope.

We made our last climb toward a shot Squirrel had skied in Dec. Yep. Still firm.

A look back on SilentStorm skinning the debris track with Chikamin Ridge way off in the back:


Well, that deserves a closer look.....



12 miles to the back of the ridge. Okay, maybe not this afternoon Squirrel.

Squirrel skinning the final approach. We went through a small slot above the knob to the right of Squirrel. Maybe ~40-45 degree, still damn steep and very firm.



A 4 mile ski traverse out topped off our day. Not quite to plan, but not too bad either.
Great weather and great attitudes made for a great time.

Squirrel, I would have joined you for laps at Alpy had I not proceded to sit in a hot tub and drink ALL of that beer.

Edit: Naked Chicks on snowboards and more "Bump Runs" Noice!

[Squirrel99]

BUMP for updated choice pics that were missing from the SE Kendall "why not because we are here" couloir

Thanks for posting, G!